Fuel-feeding- device



I. A. EDISON, Jn.

FUEL FEEDING DEVICE. MPLICATION mtn JAN.14. ma.

ggaz s Inventor:

J2 by O M, SxQH L.

Patnted May 27,1919.

UNITED STATES PATEu'r OFFICE.

rnorms A. un son,- art, or

nunnnvecton, New JERSEY.

FUEL-FEEDING DEVICE.

Specification of Letters Patent; Patented May 27, 1919.

Application filed January 14, 1&8. Serial No. 211,888.

ful Improvements in Fuel-Feeding Devices, of which the following is a full, clear, and

exact description.

My invention relates to various new and.

useful improvements in fuel feeding devices adapted for the purpose of feeding gasolene or other liquid fuel from a supply tank to a carburetor on a higher level than said tank in connection withthe operation of an internal combustion engine.

The object of my invention is to provide a very simple device for the purpose which at the same time shall be certain and highly efficient in operation. In carrying my invention into effect, I utilize preferably an auxiliary tank placed on a higher level than the carbureter, and force the gasolene or other liquid fuel from the main tank to the auxiliary tank by the ejective. action of a'small part of the exhaust gases from the engine, or in other words, I interpose between the main and auxiliary tanks 21 small ejector operated by the exhaust gases and thus efl'ecting a circulation against gravity of the liquid fuel. Preferably, I employ a suitable strainer for the exhaust gases before they reach the ejector so as to remove therefrom any solid particles of soot or carbon which might otherwise clog the ejector or contaminate the gasolene to an objectionable extent. Also I prefer to employ an overflow pipe running back from the auxiliary tank whereby any surplus gasolene will be carried back to the main tank or to the gasolene pipe between the main tank and the ejector.

In order that the invention may be better understood attention is directed to the accompanying drawing forming a part of this specification, and in which Figure 1 is a diagrammatic view, showing the ejector and auxiliary tank in their relation to the fuel tank and carbureter, and

Fig. 2 an enlarged. longitudinal section of the ejector, and the pipes immediately connected therewith.

In both of these views corresponding parts are represented by the same reference numerals.

The main fuel tank 1 is shown as being on a lower level than the 'carbureter 2. An

auxiliary tanki3 of suitable proportions is located on a higher level than the carbureter. Leading from the tank 3 is the gasolene pipe to the carbureter. to the cylindrical casing of the ejector 6 and within this casing is a nozzle 7 supported by one of the end plugs'8. The other end plug 9 is, bymeans of screw threads as A pipe 5 leads shown, adjustable toward and away from the nozzle 7 so as thereby to vary the siZe'of the opening through. which the gasolene or other liquid fuel passes. From the end plug 9 a pipe 10 leads to the auxiliary tank.3. An overflowpip'e 11 connects the auxiliary 'tank, at the desired level of the liquid therein, to thepipe 5 so that the-gasolene may maintain a constant circulation. A .vent'12 allowsexhaust' gases after they have performed the lifting effect to bubble up through the gasolene in the auxiliary tank 3 and escape to the atmosphere. The nozzle 7 is continued as a pipe 13 which leads to the-exhaust 14: of the internal'combustion engine 15, the arrangement being such that a part only of the exhaust gases will be shunted into the pipe 13. It will, of course, be understood that the entire exhaust might be directed through this pipe, but I find in practice that a satisfactory lifting efl'ect can be secured when only a fraction of the exhaust gases are permitted to enter the pipe 13. In the pipe 13 is a casing 16 containing a series of fine mesh screens17 by which any solid particles will be-separated from the gases, and if desired a check valve 18 may be. interposed in the pipe 13 between the strainer and ejector to prevent the gasolene from flowing into the pipe 13 when the engine is stopped. The operation of the apparatus has been already indicated. The

exhaust gases flowing at high velocity I iliary tank, of an ejector for forcing the fuel from the main to the auxiliary tank, said ejector being operated by the exhaust gases from the engine and which effect the circulation by direct contact with the fuel, substantially as set forth.

2. In a fuel feeding apparatus, the combination with a fuel supply tank and an auxiliary tank, of an ejector for forcing the fuel from the main to the auxiliary tank, said ejector being operated by the exhaust gases from the engine and which effect the circulation by direct contact with the fuel, and an overflow pipe from the auxiliary tank, substantially as set forth.

3. In a fuel feeding apparatus, the com- V bination with a main supply tank, a carbureter on a higher level and an auxiliary tank on still a higher level, of connections between [5 the auxiliary tank and the carbureter, connections between the main tank and the auxiliary tank and an ejector in the latter connections operated by the exhaust gases of the engine and which effect the circulation v20 by direct contact with the fuel, substantially as set forth. v

This specification signed andwitnessed this eleventh day of January, 1918.

THOMAS A. EDISON, JR. Witnesses:

FRANK L. DYER,: A. E. BENTON. 

